The Football League starts this weekend (with the Premier League getting underway a week later) and here we focus on the Championship as we attempt to pick out the matches in which both teams will score. In one of the most competitive leagues in Europe the goals fly in as teams try to get those points on the board as they chase the dream of promotion to the top flight, so check out the matches we think will produce goals galore!
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Friday 8th August 2014
- Blackburn Rovers v Cardiff City (4/5 with Bet365) – Blackburn have had a rocky couple of years but a 12-game unbeaten run at the end of last season will see them starting this one in positive mood. Cardiff, meanwhile, were defensively poor in the top flight last season and though they should score plenty in the second tier, we think they will continue to concede, making both teams to score here a solid bet.
Saturday 9th August 2014
- Middlesbrough v Birmingham City (10/11 with Coral) – Two of the many sides in the Championship with aspirations for a play off spot at least this season, Middlesbrough’s claims are far more realistic than those of the Blues. Indeed, after a run of five defeats from their last six league matches, Birmingham were lucky to even stay in the division (a point at Bolton on the final day being just enough). The corresponding fixture last season ended 3-1 to Middlesbrough and we could see a similar result here, with both to score a decent bet at those odds.
- Nottingham Forest v Blackpool (5/4 with Sky Bet) – Blackpool finished just two points and two places above the drop zone last term as they struggled at both ends of the pitch. With former Charlton boss Jose Riga installed as manager, Blackpool will be hoping for far greater success this term and we think they will muster at least a goal at Forest. Having said that, we still expect the home side (who finished 11th last season) to win, and backing both to score should bank you a profit.
- Wigan Athletic v Reading (10/11 with Coral) – These sides got relegated together from the Premier League at the end of the 2012-13 season, and both were not too far away from going straight back up last season. Reading finished just a point off the play offs while Wigan went down in the play off semis to QPR. We expect a lively encounter here that could go either way, but we are confident of at least a goal for both sides and a winning bet!
- Ipswich Town v Fulham (10/11 with Coral) – Fulham’s big problem in the Premier League last season was their leaky defence, the worst in the division. They weren’t too bad going forward, however, and if they continue those traits this term we can seem them making us a fair bit of cash on both to score bets, starting this Saturday when they visit Ipswich.
Sunday 10th August 2014
- Wolverhampton Wanderers v Norwich City (19/20 with Betfair) – Wolves have come up from League One just as Norwich have dropped down from the top flight, and it will be an intriguing match when they clash on Sunday. Norwich were the lowest scorers in the Premier League last season, but we fancy they will handle themselves much better in the second tier, and though we can’t see them making a swift return to the top division, we do think they will cause problems for a lot of teams. Wolves, meanwhile, are always hungry at home and both to score here looks a great bet at just under evens with Betfair’s Sportsbook.